Ozzfest Report - 12 July in Mansfield, MA

So, after quite some time and many doubts I have finally decided to share my thoughts about this year's Ozzfest. Actually, it's my first time on this festival since I'm from Europe and I've only been living in U.S. for two years now. Please, do consider this as you read along :)

I got to the Tweeter Center around 10:15 in the morning. Being my first time there, I wasn't sure how the whole thing was gonna go. The first thing that looked very weird were all those people on the parking lot who had brought BBQs and coolers and were hanging out by their cars. Very American, I thought.

I got to the will call window and had to wait for a person to come and escort me (and my camera) inside. The chick showed up in about 5 mins and took me to the second stage where Magna Fi were just starting their set. I hurried and snapped a few shots. Those guys were playing well but were sticking out of the metalcore- geared second stage and didn't seem to get the appreciation of the crowd.

Next were DevilDriver. To my astonishment all the kids in the crowd spontaneously cheered the band with the finger. Still can't figure out why?

Being from Europe I am quite unfamiliar with the local nu metal and hardcore scene (broadly speaking). Since I don't have a profound understanding of those styles, I can't really form any opinion on most of the bands on the second stage.

The above statement refers to DevilDriver, God Forbid, Unearth, Every Time I Die and Otep (oh, wait, I remember Otep- that chick was making out with a "severed" pig's head). I was eagerly waiting to see Lacuna Coil- personal faves and good friends of mine.

They played a rather short set (oh, well)- only 4 songs off of their 2002 release 'Comalies'. Swamped, Daylight Dancer, Tight Rope and Heaven's A Lie to be exact. This band is truly amazing live, they put their souls into what they're doing. I get a kick out of watching them all headbang in unison. Cristina is absolutely gorgeous ( I think that's a well established fact by now) and they're the friendliest rockers I know.They received a very warm crowd response, thanks to the massive radio play by the local WAAF.

Then followed Bleeding Through. The vocalist had this goth/punk thing going on. By the way, that's another thing that looks pretty weird to me- the goth and metal clothing seem to be overlapping in America, while in Europe they're quite distinct and have little in common. Anyway, the music again wasn't quite my taste. Their bassist was doing those huge spinning air kicks. Kinda cool.

Lamb Of God played intensely. At a point their vocalist asked the crowd to separate in the middle and charge at each other. Over the years, having had some black eyes and fat lips, I've learned my lesson and now I stay away from this kinda thing. But the youth will learn through their own experience. Actually, I didn't see if this went through or not for I had to take pictures.

Next on the bill were Hatebreed. They've been around for quite some time now (at least compared to the majority of the bands on the second stage). The crowd was out of their mind. We (the photographers) had to be escorted out after the 3rd song and leave the cameras in our cars (no one was allowed to shoot Slipknot), so I didn't get a chance to see the whole set.

After about 30 mins I was back inside where Slipknot were just about to get on stage. And then, Praise The Lord, there were some chicks flashing the crowd. That's the second time I've witnessed a phenomenon of that kind (the first one was at the 2002 GNR show, but then the chick took it a step further and showed some much more private parts) and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Only in America!

The crowd was visibly increasing at an exponential rate. Slipknot showed up in full attire. Now, risking the animosity of many of you, I don't really see why this band is so popular in U.S. I was puzzling over the same mystery about Korn years ago. Slipknot are good musicians, no doubt about that, but I really don't like their music. Out of curiosity, I stuck around for the first song. They were pretty... amusing to watch.

Having had a big enough dose of sun and aggressive music for the day, I grabbed a beer and wandered around the Tweeter Center. It was about 4:30 when I found my seat at the main stage. Black Label Society were starting off their set and the crowds coming from the second stage were flooding the place.

The only song from Zakk Wylde's new band set that I was familiar with was Stillborn. They got a lot of cheering for their final song, Berserkers.

Then followed Superjoint Ritual. I've seen them live twice. I used to have a lot of respect for Phil before I saw him with his new band at the NEMHF last year. Some kids in the crowd were chanting "Pantera, Pantera" and he went "Fuck Pantera". I felt personally offended since I grew up with Vulgar Display and this really felt like a sacrilege. I honestly believe that this guy's vocabulary consists of about 50 words, and 30 out of those are fuck and the like. Literally every second word coming out of his mouth was fuck or fucking. I'm not really a prude but his excessive use of vulgar language is quite impertinent.

Anyway, I forced myself to sit through the first two songs and went to stretch my legs. Saw Marko and Criz from Lacuna and hung out with them till the end of Superjoint's set.

It was around 6 and the time had come for Dimmu Borgir to claim the throne that is rightfully theirs. Too bad the crowd didn't feel the same way. That's another thing about the mainstream American metalheads- they are pretty much ignorant of the European scene.No offense, I'm just expressing my observations of the last two years I've spent in this country.

So, Dimmu opened with Spellbound. I was headbanging violently and singing along but the rest of the crowd was very, very, very passive. I could only see a few (5-6) other people enjoying themselves (i.e.headbanging). Shagrath shrieked out "Stand up, this is not a church ceremony". I don't think anyone made out what he said though.

Then followed Vredesbyrg ( I was still singing despite the Norwegian lyrics) and that's when I started noticing that something was wrong. The drummer really was screwing things up and the rest of the guys were trying hard to cover it up (couldn't fool an old fan like me, I dare say I know every note in their music). At that time I didn't know that Reno couldn't make it because of visa problems but later on it all came clear- Nile's drummer was recruited for the job. I'm not questioning Tony's abilities as a drummer, of course; he's doing a great job in Nile, but Dimmu's style of playing is way faster and few are those who can achieve the triggering sound. But after all, without any rehearsals with the band, he performed decent.

The set went on with Kings Of The Carnival Creation, Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse and finally Mourning Palace. Pretty much their most well- known songs. By the end of their 30 min set I could hardly feel my neck so when Slayer came on stage I couldn't see them since everyone was standing up and I could barely move. Let alone stand on my feet.

They played for 45 mins and it was cool to see Slayer in the original lineup. I was kinda surprised they didn't play Angel Of Death, thus depriving us of Dave's prominent solo. Still the guys did meet the oldies demand with South Of Heaven and Raining Blood. The set was plain and simple- 45 mins of pure thrash metal aggression.

Next on the bill- Judas Priest. When the crew was prepping the stage I remember thinking that the whole thing reminded me of the golden days when heavy metal was at its zenith (not that I've witnessed that myself... long live video production). So, Judas played the longest set of the day and they undoubtedly introduced the most spectacular set of the day. I'm not much of a fan but I for one respect their music and what they've contributed to the metal scene.

On the opening of Electric Eye, Rob emerged on stage through the pupil of the giant eye hanging atop the drums platform. The attire was impressive. The set list was pretty much all-inclusive- ranging from Breaking The Law, Metal Gods and Living After Midnight to Painkiller and A touch Of Evil. At one point, a giant mirror ball was reeled in on stage- like the ones you could see in the 80's disco clubs and I swear I thought they were gonna play It's Raining Men. Well, they didn't. But Rob made up for it by riding out on a motorcycle on the encore.

Finally, it was time for Black Sabbath to perform. I honestly didn't expect much, given their age and Ozzy's health problems. Fortunately, they totally blew me away. As well as everyone else in the audience. They opened up with War Pigs and had some anti- war slogans on the projection screen. I'm not politically involved but I liked the analogy between Hitler and Bush.

Ozzy was constantly showering with a bucket of water but still looked good. It was a great show, very emotionally charged. When they played the legendary Snowblind, NIB, Paranoid and Into The Void I felt like a child whose greatest dream has come true. Tony is still the man, despite his acid scorched- looking guitar.

Sabbath were still playing when people started leaving because of the I-don't-wanna-get- stuck-in-traffic premonition. Again, I was genuinely annoyed by this kind of disrespect.

We were just going out when it started drizzling. A great finale for a great night.

You can check out the photos I took of the second stage in the photo gallery.

It's one thing if you want to argue among readers over whatever gets you off, but I don't want to hear you talking sh** to any of my people especially when they've written an honest report on a show they've seen.

Muffy, you little misguided wanker, stop embarassing yourself and bugger off. This uncalled- for aggression only reveals the pathetic miserable little creature you really are. No one is forcing you to read this article, or visit out site at all. If you don't like it, piss off and go read some gay stuff that I'm sure you're really into!!!

I thought it was a well-written article in which mild opinions were stated and no bands were really dissed. So I don't see the point in such a knee-jerk dumbass reaction.

Perhaps I was too blinded by reason to realized that this year's Ozzfest was just too heavy for muffy, and you would have preferred to see Slipknot with Linkin Park, limpbizkit and the Deftones...

I will certainly post a different perspective about Ozzfest, but it won't start with "Gothique is so stupid, here's a real account of Ozzfest". Respect others' opinions. It's "fans" like you who have given bands like Slipknot and Pantera a bad name.

shut up deathbringer!!! America is uncharted territory for Gothique and he probably isn't used to our way of cheering on a band yet. I saw Slipknot and they are not the greatest band in the world Metallica is!!!

I wish an American would have written this article. Then I would have faith for the future of music in this country. Judas Priest and Dimmu Borgir WERE the reasons I went to ozzfest 2004. I went July 18 at Bristow VA. Virtually NOBODY responded to DIMMU. The best band there. It was me and my two best friends head-banging our asses off to Dimmu. We were basically it. Nobody over here has an apprieciation for good, talented music anymore. the only time I go to concerts is if a band from Europe is playing, (with the exception of american death metal concerts). Here is an americans over veiw of ozzfest:Devil-driver, Lamb-of-God and God forbid were the only decent bands on 2nd stage. Slpiknot REALLY dissapointed me. I've seen them twice before, the last time wasn't so bad, but this time I think I've lost my respect for them. With the release of an album that it seems they put virtually no effort in, then putting on a performance wich was just blan. f*** slipknot I thought they were gonna be the next big thing (or should I say good thing since all the "big things" are sh** i.e. linkin' Park, evanesence) in America. NO. Well going over to main stage, everyone was good except Superjoint Ritual. f*** 'em. I love Pantera, But now I hate Phil and now I wish that april fools thing on here where he died was true. DIMMU BORGIR made my f***ing day, my neck was jelly after only 5 songs. this was the 3rd time I've seen them and since I knew they only had 30 minutes, I had to put everything I had in me to support my favorite band. Slayer was next, I've seen 'em a million times, but never with Dave Lombardo, so I went nuts. Then came Judas Priest, and I was wisked away to 1986 as Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing, and Ian Hill, seemed as if they were back in their prime. And they proved Priest was anything but an old washed-up 80's band. Then the Metal Fore-fathers Black Sabbath came on. they put on a great show, but they are going to have to learn they can't just be Black Sabbath anymore, and play the same damn songs, they need to put out a new album, and think up a new set list. They can't get by by just playing Iron man, Warpigs, etc. anymore. They have so many more good songs to play that I would like to hear live. All in All though this years Ozzfest was the best one yet. But I will continue to call it Trend-fest.

so why don't you submit your little review up there?? Black Sabbath plays the same songs because they cannot remember any of their other ones. that's what drugs and booze do to you!! I will agree that it's becoming "Trend-fest". I will also agree on the fact that what the "big things" are and aren't, LP isn't that bad if you look at it from my point but I AM SO SICK of hearing about evanescence!! Oh and Phil has died more than once.

Holy sh**, I didn't expect that from Big Dan. Ozzfest will always be trendfest though. Unfortunately you can't pack a stadium or pavillion setup like that with Black and death metal in the US. And even if you could for one fest, you can't for a whole tour... The thought crossed my mind when I Dimmu came up and I thought how they were out of place playing in the daytime. Still working on my writeup from Bristow, with pics...

well put big D even thou i do agree death it will always be trendfest but it's not like we dont hate all the good oldies like pantera mettalica iron maiden led zepplin etc. but thats the metal were used to.now these nu metal groups are coming out with chicks as lead vocals its like listening to bjork having an orgasm just constant high pitch even thou i grew up on listening to bjork but still . anyways dudes peac

bjork? anyway, it's not our fault that there are chicks in metal(I'm a chick and I'm a musician) they started listening to the "oldies" and found out about Lita Ford and Vixen. Kittie nad Otep are just those "girl metal" bands for the next ten years and then another group if them will come along and the cycle continues.

Your right RelliK, but everyone likes a certain band for a certain reason and the same for disliking them. Slayer's coming back to Lubbock!! I can't wait!! oh and go check out... anechoofsilence.4t.com

So Deathbringer why didn't you expect that from me? anyway, as far as I know Slayer didn't add Angel of Death to their set list., at least they didn't play it on sunday, but they may have by now. I talked to a lot of people at Ozzfest, and almost everyone I talked to about slayer asked me if they're playing Angel of Death. Well I said No and They didn't. But then again I was f***ed up by the time Slayer came on. Please, PLEASE, don't take what I said above about Sabbath the wrong way, They kick ass, I'm just frustrated that they haven't put out any new material since like 1999. They are one of my top 5 favorite bands. and Sharon Osbourne has p***ed me off because, well she hasn't exactly ruined Ozzy's carreer, but she commercialized Ozzy's carreer, in a way that I thought would never happen, with the advent of "The Osbourne's" (on MTV my most hated TV channel) and the "Sharon Osbourne show". I guess what I'm trying to say is She just is pissing me off the way she has been exploiting Ozzy these past few years.

commercializing? YES. but think of it, you would have never seen Sabbath had she not come along and made Ozzy sober up, he could have died in a gutter and no one would have known until 2 months later like when they found Layne Staley.

i agree with all you people on the commercializing of ozzy's career, and how ozzfest=trendfest....but i defintely dont think it would have been good for sharon osbourne to die...she did, as brokenwings13 said, basically turn around ozzys life

Guys listen up, Ozzfest was nice this year. I enjoyed checking out new bands I hadn't seen or heard before. God Forbid, Lacuna Coil, Devil Driver and Lamb of god were outstanding. You also have to admit that the 2nd stage moved along really well. No waiting around between sets. I also would have liked to have seen Slipknot kick a$$ a little more but they were still pretty good. As far as the main stage, BLS was sick!! This band just really kicks ass. Dimmu Borgir was also pretty good. I had only seen a video of them and thought they had excellent potential. This is a band you should give a chance. Supersuck b****ual was a major disappointment. I loved Pantera, but this new Anselmo stuff is bad. And now for the important stuff. Judas Priest is back!!! They were the highlight of the whole day. Halford is the man and nice to see him back where he belongs. This band just will not die! They f'n rule. Black Sabbath is Black Sabbath. It is always cool to see them. But that said, a set change would be nice. Enough of Iron Man and War pigs. They have so much great music and it would be awesome to see them do it live since they are gods and the main reason we have so much good music today. In case anyone wonders what kind of mucis credibilty I have, I am 39 yrs old and have been into metal and hard rock since the 70's. This is my first Ozzfest. I listen to everything out there and enjoy Damageplan, Slipknot,God Forbid and Hatebreed as much as Sabbath, Priest,UFO, Metallica or King Diamond. Lets hope Metal lives forever!!

i never said anything bad about Dimmu Birgir, or Hatebreed OR Judas Priest, I'm just saing that yeah, ozzfest is kinda getting out there and putting themselves into that mold like the family values tour.

and my music credibilty is that i'm 16, listen to almost anything (i can't stand that rap s**t.) including Metallica, AFI, The Beatles, Korn, and Tool.

ozzfest is not "trend-fest" and as rellik said, this is the least commercialized ozzfest in a while. i am excited about seeing all of the bands this year. im sure it will kick a$$ as always. although i don't agree in that sharon osbourne should die, it does piss me off how commercialized ozzy is. seeing all of these fag poser b****es wearing ozzy shirts and sh** makes me sick to my stomach because half of them don't even know ozzy for his music but for that god damn show "The Osbournes". f*** you MTV...f*** you in your huge gaping a$$hole you c** guzzling fairies. I hate you MTV...I hate you so god damn much. Zakk Wylde is the f***ing man and a half. Phil Anselmo does not need to trash Pantera...without Pantera, where the f*** would he be? In a f***ing corner shooting up brown sugar? SLaYeR f***ing rules. f*** you MTV and you fag poser b****es.

Ozzfest is not trendfest? The new trend of metal is metalcore. How many metalcore bands were on teh second stage? 'Nuff said, trendfest. That's not bad though - I don't care. It's a great way to showcase the up and coming bands and they have to pick the ones that are at least semi-popular and known, which is most likely to follow the latest trends. This year's fest was one of the heaviest and best nonetheless. With nu-metal fading and less new/good bands coming out with nu-metal, there really was no option but to change.